Predicted Juventus lineup vs Roma: Bentancur reclaims starting spot in Coppa Italia

Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus FC during the Italy Cup football match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 15, 2010 in Turin, Italy.Juventus won 4-0 over Udinese. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus FC during the Italy Cup football match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 15, 2010 in Turin, Italy.Juventus won 4-0 over Udinese. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus jumps for the ball against Roberto Inglese of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Perottino – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus jumps for the ball against Roberto Inglese of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Perottino – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /

LB: Danilo

Figuring out what Juventus will choose to do with their full back positions is much easier than usual for this match. Alex Sandro was injured during Sunday’s match and likely won’t be available for the match against Roma. That leaves Danilo and Juan Cuadrado as the team’s only two available full backs. That means it will be Danilo playing at left back in this match. He replaced Sandro after the injury on Sunday and played well enough for Juve to be able to trust him again here and not rush Sandro back from his injury. Another strong performance here just might win him back the right back job when Sandro is healthy.

CB: Leonardo Bonucci

Juve’s captain had a pretty easy week last week. First, he was given the day of in Juve’s last Coppa match. Then he took on a Parma squad that didn’t force him to work particularly hard. He should have a bit more work to do in this match, but he’s shown throughout the season that he is up to the task.

CB: Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt got his starting job back last week and made the opportunity count on Sunday. He stifled Parma’s attack throughout the match and made a key block late in the second half to protect Juve’s lead. He’s only going to keep getting better this season and he has another opportunity to show his growth in this match.

RB: Juan Cuadrado

With only two full backs available and Danilo starting at left back, it should be pretty obvious who Juve’s right back will be in this match. Juan Cuadrado has held this position for most of the season and should continue to take on this role at least until Sandro is healthy. Cuadrado’s performances haven’t been quite as strong lately as they were earlier in the season and that could cost him his job soon. He’ll be needed to provide some attacking assistance on his wing in this match, something he hasn’t done particularly well over the last couple. If he can change that, his job just might be safe.